The Blessing at the Bottom

REFLECTION 
When we bought our house 2 years ago, it was a mess. The inside looked like part of the set from That 70s Show and the outside came with a complimentary jungle. In the backyard, amidst the overgrowth, there were three, seemingly randomly placed holes, each marked by a wooden stake sticking out. Actually, these may be better described as a pit, the kind that if you accidently stepped in, it would swallow your leg up to the knee and eat your shoe in one fell swoop. Not wanting to lose any shoes or small children, we immediately filled these holes, using anything we could find: pieces of  broken coffee mug and ceramic bowl from the old chicken coop, a broken glass jar, pieces of cement from a broken slab nearby, a few logs, topped it with dirt, and planted grass over top.

While putting in a patio this summer, we stumbled across a white PVC cap a few inches below the surface in the backyard, some 30 yards away from where the pits used to be. Upon investigation, we discovered that there was an underground drainage system in the backyard that we knew nothing about. We quickly realized that these ‘pits’ we had filled in may have been collection points to drain water out of the yard. Using an old picture for reference, we dug up each of those three sites, removing the pieces of concrete, shards of glass, chunks of ceramic, and dirt. Sure enough, in each spot, there was a collection point. If we had only taken the time to go just a little deeper before filling those spots with whatever was readily accessible, we would have seen them much differently.

How often do we do this in our spiritual lives? We experience something difficult: loss of a loved one, loss of a job, strain in relationships, addiction, a long standing sin struggle, heartbreak, depression, or whatever else it may be that leaves us feeling a pit inside, and instead of sitting before the lord, allowing him to excavate a little deeper, and then complete HIS work in that space, we pack it full of whatever we can to cover it up and move on. Like those pits in the yard, it may look like everything is resolved, we may have even planted grass on top so from the outside all seems neat, manicured, and put together, but in doing so we miss the blessing at the bottom.

As we removed each one of those pieces of concrete, each shard of glass and ceramic, dug out the dirt, and ruined the neat grass on top, it struck me how this was much more difficult than it would have been if we had slowed down and dug a bit deeper initially, but it was worth it all the same. God reminded me in that moment that no matter what the pit was in my heart, no matter how deep it was, nor how much I’ve managed to fill it with, or how much more painful it may be now, removing those things with HIS help is worth it.

While the blessing in our finished backyard drainage is nice, the blessing of God’s finished work in us is so much greater. I’m thankful for a God who uses simple things like this to remind us of such truths. As you reflect on this today, ask God to reveal to you the ‘pits’ of your heart, the things you may have long since covered up, and ask him to help you unpack them so you can see HIS purpose.

SCRIPTURE
23  Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24  And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
- Psalm 139:23–24

PRAYER
Gracious and Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your unconditional love and for knowing the depths of our hearts. Forgive me when I rush through my time with you, when I decide my  time is more valuable than yours, and when I try to control my heart instead of letting you heal and mold it perfectly. Help me surrender my own will and trust in your healing and timing, not only in difficult moments but in every moment of my life. Reveal to me anything I have buried deep and come work your will there instead. I recognize that it’s your will and not mine. In Jesus name I pray this, I love you, Amen.